The three of them stood outside the Fu Household's gate with gifts.
Upon receiving the report, Old General Fu rushed out. He was followed by Fu Congxi and Fu Congzhao...
Old General Fu beamed with joy upon seeing her, "Miss Jin, I was just about to pick you up, but I didn't expect you to be so fast!"
As he spoke, he led the people into the mansion. With Jin Shanyao, he instructed the servants to carry the gifts. After exchanging a few pleasantries inside, they began distributing the gifts.
She first took out Ganoderma lucidum and Phellinus linteus, saying, "Brother, these are good for your health. You and your wife should take more of them..."
Old General Fu was shocked. "This... this..." The quality of these Ganoderma lucidum and Sanghuang mushrooms is even better than the tribute herbs. "Miss Jin, where did you get these herbs?"
"These are grown on our own mountain. If you like them, I'll bring you some more next time," she said, taking another bamboo basket and pushing it in front of Fu Congxi.
"This is for you..."
Fu Congxi at the basket of deer antlers, the top-quality antlers neatly stacked like a mountain. "How much does this cost?" she asked aloud as she thought this.
"What money? It's all produce from our own mountain, take it..." Jin Shanyao finished reading all the books Su Wenqian had given her and finally summarized.
When giving a gift, choose those medicinal herbs that can nourish and maintain health even if you're not sick—a foolproof and foolproof choice.
She pushed the deer antlers to Fu Congxi's feet, then pulled over another basket and pushed it in front of Fu Congzhao.
Seeing him wearing the clothes she bought made her very happy. "When I bought these clothes, I knew at first glance that they would suit you," she said, and then touched Fu Congzhao's waist.
The people around gasped in shock. Jin Shanyao her clothes, muttered to herself, "Grown that fast? And lost weight again??"
Fu Congzhao was so tense that he dared not move. His ear tips were so red they were almost bleeding. How could he not lose weight? Ever since he learned that Jin Shanyao would be coming to the wedding banquet.
His sister altered all his clothes overnight and ordered him to wear the clothes with the Jin Shanyao waving during this period. She threatened to skin him alive if he dared to change them.
Fu Congxi gazed at the hand around his younger brother's waist, a slight smile playing on his lips, concealing his true feelings of accomplishment...
Jin Shanyao looked Fu Congzhao up and down, secretly wondering why he was still wearing the old clothes she had given him last year when everyone in the Fu Household was wearing new clothes.
Thinking of Fu Congzhao's situation in this family, Jin Shanyao comforted him, "It's alright, if the clothes are too small, Grandma will buy you more..."
As she spoke, she opened the cloak covering the basket, pointed at the mushrooms, and laughed, " Congzhao... you're still young, it's the time when you're growing, eat these to nourish yourself..."
Fu Congzhao gazed at the rare mushrooms, the kind only seen at palace banquets, and his heart trembled. "Miss Jin, it's enough that you're here; there's no need to bring so many valuable things."
As he spoke, he pulled out a silver note from his sleeve, which he had been carrying for who knows how many days, and without saying a word, stuffed it into the palm of the Jin Shanyao.
"It's not easy for you to raise two children on your own, and making a living by growing medicinal herbs is already hard enough. I can't just take your things for nothing; you must accept this small token of my appreciation."
Jin Shanyao gripped his hand tightly in return, their eyes meeting, both filled with the other's gaze. " Zhao'er... I knew you had me in your heart." As she spoke, she clutched the silver note into her palm.
Looking at him expectantly, she said, "I haven't stopped thinking about you all this time. Have you missed me...?"
Fu Congzhao nodded heavily, his voice deep and hoarse, each word sincere, "I think about it, I think about it every single day."
Every time he spends money, he thinks, "Have I saved enough? What will I give her next time Jin Shanyao comes?" This makes him live frugally and he doesn't even have the courage to eat out.
Now that the money was gone, he felt at ease... He just hoped that Jin Shanyao wouldn't bring such expensive gifts next time; his savings were almost gone.
Fu Congzhao's parents sat to the side, exchanging a glance. They hadn't believed their daughter when she said that Jin Shanyao and Zhao'er got along well, but seeing it today proved it was true.
Congzhao's father was secretly pleased; he hadn't raised this son in vain! However, the things Miss Jin brought were too valuable, and he had to make up for it.
Fu Congheng's parents were bewildered, staring at the Jin Shanyao for a long time... Gone??? Their Heng'er didn't even have a single blade of grass left????
They made a special trip back from the border to attend their niece's wedding. On the way, they heard from their younger siblings that Fu Congzhao and Jin Shanyao off immediately upon their first meeting.
They didn't believe it, always thinking their son was just as good. But when they thought about Fu Congheng, who hadn't been home for several days in a row, the couple got angry. This child was utterly useless.
Look at those two kids from the second son's family, they're making Jin Shanyao around in circles, while my own kids are nowhere to be seen. How can they compare...?
General Fu rose and bowed to Jin Shanyao, "Miss Jin, I am Fu Congheng's father. If it weren't for your talisman during the last attack, I'm afraid..."
Jin Shanyao and said, "You are surrounded by great fortune. Although you are not destined to die young, you will face constant dangers. Be careful in future battles."
Madam Fu asked anxiously, "Does Miss Jin have a way to break this?"
Meng Anci silently opened his satchel, and the next moment he heard his aunt say, "Want to buy talisman paper? One hundred taels each..."
"Buy..." Madam Fu slammed her hand on the table and said, "Give me five bills, the money will come from my dowry."
General Fu interrupted his wife in a deep voice, "Miss Jin, I heard from General Qin that you can perform rituals to help the souls of the dead. Some of our soldiers died on the battlefield, and we don't know if their souls are at peace. We would like to ask Miss Jin for your help."
Jin Shanyao eyes with appreciation. Those leaders were so protective of their own. "Not bad... a good general is one who cares for his men. It's just that I can't leave now. When I have the chance, I'll definitely go to the battlefield to pray for their souls."
Upon hearing this, everyone in the Fu Household rose and bowed solemnly to Jin Shanyao. Old General Fu said in a deep voice, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Jin. The entire Fu Household Army is deeply grateful."
Jin Shanyao her head at the crowd, "Gratitude is one thing... Can't you all show some concern for Fu Congzhao? His clothes have never fit properly; look how thin his waist is, they'd burst open if he bent over..."
As she spoke, she grabbed Fu Congzhao and said, "Take another look at this butt." Fu Congzhao thought she was going to hit him, so he covered his butt in fright and blushed completely.
Jin Shanyao said helplessly, "If you can raise this child, then raise him; if you can't, then give him to me."
"Here you go..." Before Jin Shanyao could finish speaking, Old General Fu interrupted her urgently, leaving Jin Shanyao's words stuck in her throat.
"Actually..."
"Actually... I've already given it to you..."
"No, listen to me..."
"You don't need to say anything... he's yours now..."
Jin Shanyao completely bewildered... Wait a minute... Don't humans usually believe in declining three times and offering their services three times? Did she misunderstand?
"General, there's a saying that goes, 'Parents are a child's first bullies.' You can't treat him like this."
"I am his grandfather..."
"That's the second bully..."
General Fu, standing to the side, said timidly, "Miss Jin, my Fu Congheng is quite good too, why don't you want him?"
Jin Shanyao exclaimed in surprise, "You don't want your son either?? Aren't military Aristocratic Clan supposed to value male heirs the most?? How can you just give him away like that??"
Old General Fu coughed lightly twice, "The fact that they're able to follow you is their..."
Fu Congzhao quickly interrupted his grandfather, "Miss Jin, you've misunderstood. My family treats me very well, really... they're as precious as gold."
Jin Shanyao stared speechlessly at Fu Congzhao. "Child, you should be more careful. Wear whatever they wear. You're about to be sent away, and you're still speaking well of others."
She reached out and patted Fu Congzhao on the shoulder, saying earnestly, "Next time I come, I'll bring you some walnuts too..."
Seeing her puzzled look, Fu Congzhao smiled and said, "I'm going to the border after the wedding. I don't know when we'll meet again. I'm afraid I won't be able to eat Miss Jin's walnuts anymore."
With Jin Shanyao, " Fu Congheng isn't going to the border, what are you going there for?!"
"My cousin works in the Capital Prefecture; it's a post personally appointed by the Emperor, so he has no choice in the matter. As a son of the Fu Household, I must go to the army to gain experience ahead of time."
Jin Shanyao at him with an idiotic gaze, then turned around to find that Meng Anci had already prepared the ink and brush.
She picked up a brush and drew Talisman of Safety, handing it to Fu Congzhao. "The battlefield is fraught with danger and bloodshed. If you run out, write to me and I'll draw you another one."
Fu Congzhao accepted the talisman and Jin Shanyao, saying, "Thank you, Miss Jin."
"No need to thank me... we're best friends," he said, then looked at the rest of the Fu Household, "Would you like some talismans drawn? One hundred taels each..."